Thomas Wightman, the last survivor of the wrecked sealing barque Dove, lands on the coast of Tovy Poenamoo.He is captured and held prisoner by cannibals until shore whalers ransom him. There is no choice for him but to whale in Cook's Strait until he can find a way home to America. The station is attacked and he flees by canoe with Heke, his young Maori bride, and their child through the baffling reaches and islands of the Marlborough Sounds.